Solar panels, left, help generate electricity while louvers, center, shield windows from the hot sun. The 222,000- square-foot renewable-energy research facility is being described as "the greenest office building in the nation."

Highly reflective windows block large amounts of heat at the National Renewable Energy Lab's new research building in Golden. The $64 million facility is designed to be net-zero energy — using only as much energy as it produces.

When it comes to energy efficiency, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is using its new building as a showcase.

The $64 million research building at NREL’s campus in Golden is designed to be net-zero energy — using only as much energy as it produces from rooftop solar panels and other renewable energy sources on the campus.

The 222,000-square-foot structure will use one-third the energy of a conventional office building and exceeds the requirements for LEED Platinum status, the highest designation by the U.S. Green Building Council.

About 120 NREL employees have occupied the building, and another 680 will move in this summer.

The design-build team included RNL, Haselden Construction and Stantec Consulting.

Building features include:

• A concrete thermal labyrinth in the basement that stores cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

• Transpired solar collectors that preheat incoming air for ventilation.

• Forty-two miles of radiant water piping for heating and cooling — more efficient than forced air.

“The Department of Energy expects the project to help reduce the nation’s energy consumption by changing the way commercial buildings are designed and built,” said Jeff Baker, director of NREL’s laboratory operations.

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